Reply The "skinny budget" was delayed several months due to the coronavirus pandemic. (Rachel Nunes/Patch) PROVIDENCE, RI — Rhode Island is one step closer to having a state budget for the 2021 fiscal year. The full House of Representatives approved the so-called "skinny budget" in a special session Wednesday afternoon. The pared-down budget includes financial assistance for Rhode Islanders hit hardest by the pandemic, and does not raise taxes or fees. It also includes seven bond questions that Rhode Island voters will take up in a special election March 2. "This budget is about making sure we take full advantage of the federal funding available to help take care of Rhode Islanders and get us through this pandemic," said House Speaker-elect K. Joseph Shekarchi. "We are just a few weeks away from the start of a new session in January, and at that time we look forward to a full discussion of new policies and ideas. For now, we need to hold the line and fully support our schools, our cities and towns, and our existing efforts to help the people of Rhode Island, and I'm proud of the way we have come together to do exactly that within the resources we have."